More Q & A to  come soon!

Questions and Answers


Question: Why do I need to drink water after a massage?

Answer: Massage will increase the circulation of blood and lymph while hastening the removal of cellular debris. Water will give your body the hydration it needs to sustain this cleansing process.
Moreover, H2O is the vital super-substance from which all life is sustained, so drink your water, however not to much, its estimated that a person needs somewhere between 5-10 8oz glasses of water a day. Of course this varies depending on the size of the person and how active they are.




Question: How often should I receive massage?

Answer: Most people who is in reasonable good health receive massage once every 1-4 weeks. However the frequency of massage should be determined by your goal.
Medical massage is often preformed in shorter sessions more regularly.
Athletes will receive massage in accordance with their work out schedule.
This is to say that it is dependent upon your goal and needs.
Keep in mind that "the accumulative effective of massage is greater then the benefit of any one treatment session"
You and your licensed therapist should discuss your long term goals to establish a clear direction and protocol.
Also keep in mind that, according to unnamed sources, both Bob Hope and Cesar received massage every day.




Question: What improvements can I expect to see after my massage?

Answer: That would depend on what issues you are looking to address. Stress reduction is often a big factor that moves someone to seek a massage treatment. In terms of relaxation or the 'relaxation response', measurable improvement is mostly dependent upon a good relationship between the therapist and the client. As to more serious issues such as; chronic muscle spasm, soft tissue inflammation, or any other soft tissue injury, improvement is more dependent upon the therapist incorporating the most suitable modalities. Beyond that there is the bigger issue which is whether or not massage can actually help with your unique condition, on that issue, accurate assessment by the therapist is most vital. (which is why it is important to investigate your therapist before you book your massage appointment. Ask questions. Finding out whether or not your chosen therapist has the experience you need, that may determine how much improvement you see) 




Question: Can massage done with clothes?

Answer: Yes. There are many types of massage. Some forms are done fully clothed while other forms use cream or oil, which does require getting undressed. No matter what though, your massage should always preformed according to your comfort level. You will never be asked to do something your not comfortable doing, your massage therapist can accommodate your needs.




Question: What Should I expect? (I have never had massage before)

Answer: Massage in the US (and abroad in many spa's)  is often performed in a dimly lit room. Most of the time the default massage service is European massage (check out massage definitions for more info on types). European massage uses lotions, oils or cream, so you will be expected to disrobe. You should always feel comfortable, in control, and at ease. Of course your first massage may make you feel a bit strange if your not use to physical contact, however, the point is that you should never feel judged, out of control, or uneasy. Massage can be strong or soft and may include some active or passive movement.
A good therapist will elicit your communication so as to allow you to guide the treatment according to what you are ok with.
NOTE: In the US, as a woman, you should not typically have your breasts massaged, unless it has been deemed necessary and you are under the care of a specifically trained therapist.
However, Americans, be aware, throughout Europe it is common to have your chest massaged, and for good reason.....there is a lot of lymphatic tissue in and around the breast area, so from the stand point of immune functioning and cellular health, breast massage is a good thing. In addition, when breast feeding massage may be especially helpful for relieving engorgement or mastitis




Question: What are the proven benefits of massage therapy?

Answer:  The benefits of massage are physical and mental,  included but not limited to the following:

   * relaxes the whole body
   * loosens tight muscles
   * relieves tired and aching muscles
   * increases flexibility and range of motion
   * diminishes chronic pain
   * calms the nervous system
   * lowers blood pressure
   * lowers heart rate
   * enhances skin tone
   * assists in recovery from injuries and illness
   * strengthens the immune system
   * reduces tension headaches
   * reduces mental stress
   * improves concentration
   * promotes restful sleep
   * aids in mental relaxation




Question: Why do I feel pain in some spots during my massage?

Answer: Pain is very common and is for the most part it is the result of toxicity in the tissue. Lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic waist accumulates in areas that have poor circulation.  Factors such as nerve compression from the misalignment of bones and muscle, poor posture habits, myofascial strain, and the like contribute to soft tissue breakdown. In order to restore optimal tissue health the sore areas need to be nourished and cleansed with fresh blood and lymph. To prevent pain it needs to be taken a step further with muscle balancing and strength training.






Question: What qualifications does a licensed massage therapist have?

Answer: In New York, specifically, a massage therapist is required to have at least 1000 hours of hands on clinical experience and class room studies of anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, myology, and traditional Chinese  medicine. After that there is a NYS licensing exam.
Out side of NY, Inside the US, unfortunately the educational standards are very low. If you are outside of NY, you should look for a therapist that is at least Nationally Certified.
How to find a qualified "Massage Therapist"
Nation wide the regulations are not uniform, thus the "profession" of massage therapy leaves the consumer vulnerable to frauds. National cert. programs and associations will take any member who has minimal credentials. To find a legitimate therapist or center ask the following:
1)Are They licensed or certified? (this varies from state to state and even county to county)
2) Does the therapist or massage center have location address on their business card or web listing? (a phone number is not enough)
3) do they have a website?
4) are they reviewed on the internet?
5) have they won any recognizable awards?
6) are they Dr referred?
7) do they offer "normal" business hours? (24hr services are often not legitimate)
It often best to simply get word of mouth referral and then compare it to the above criteria. This will ensure that you get the best care possible! Enjoy your massage!




Question: So what makes a "good" massage "good"?

Answer: A "good" massage is usually the result of good communication from both the client and the therapist, trust,  sensitivity and strength, as well as solid knowledge of all the body's systems. And of course a comfortable relaxing environment makes it all the better.




Question: What's the difference between spa massage and Therapeutic Massage.

Answer: Typically, though not always, "spa massage" is done in a general manner, with standard movements that are done the same way on every person. Many spas have strict guide lines that massage therapists must follow, and often they have tight schedules that keep them moving as if on a conveyor belt.
In Massage Therapy Centers on the other hand, (though not always), you are more likely to find therapists who control more of their own schedules and who can perform more 'person specific sessions'. This usually ensures a "better" massage, Why? because each persons needs are so specific, we look at, and access each person as the unique individual they are.

Unlike standardized medicine, the foundation of massage therapy is rooted in caring for each individual. This means that there is no "standard protocol".




Question: How is it even possible that massage is useful for so many different medical conditions?

Answer: In as few words as possible...basically, no matter what disease or symptom your suffering from,  there are a few common components; be it pain, muscle aches, gastric problems, immune disorders, heart diseases, and even some cancers, there is most certainly an accumulation of toxicity; cellular oxygen depletion, cellular malnutrition, lymphatic congestion and often a hormonal and chemical imbalance that causes suppression of the "normal" healthy dynamic state of our body. You should also know that stress is in fact a contributing to all of those conditions. - Massage can help cleanse your tissue at the cellular level; assist in expelling toxic waist, circulating nutrition to healthy cells, and all the while providing relaxation and an increase of natural endorphin's, making you feel just great. 
(there is a lot of research these days that clearly proves that stress causes genetic break down, this causes premature breakdown and aging. More concerning however, is that current  research also points out that genetic mutation brings to life certain types of cancer cells. So in light of that, tension and stress is more deadly then once previously thought.)
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